(All scripture references from the NIV)
The first amendment to the Constitution of the United States says: Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.
In this great nation of ours, we have those guaranteed freedoms of religion and speech. We pretty much have the liberty to openly praise or criticize any of our leaders and their policies, without fear of persecution. In some nations that do not have this freedom granted to them, they can be arrested and jailed, they can be tortured, even killed. How fortunate we are to live in this country!
However, that freedom to criticize has changed from just criticizing them to open hate-filled rage. Too many people believe that it is okay to spout all kinds of mean-spirited things about our leaders – and it doesn’t seem to matter if it’s true or not. Thousands of times each day, in our cities/states/nation, people criticize and speak negative words (curses) onto our leaders (rulers.)
As Christians, we have a responsibility to restrain ourselves from participating in this behavior. Exodus 22:28 says: “‘Do not blaspheme God or curse the ruler of your people.’” Did you notice that the command not to curse your ruler is in the same sentence where we’re told not to blaspheme God? That to me gives emphasis to the importance of that command not to curse our rulers. We are also told by Daniel speaking about God in Daniel 2:21a “’…..he sets up kings and deposes them.’” Then in Romans 13:1b we’re told: “……there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God.” The phrase God has established is stated twice in one verse, telling me I need to pay attention to it. These verses say to me that God has a hand in who our ruling authorities are – like it or not.
I Timothy 2:1-2a tells us “I urge, then first of all, that requests, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for everyone – for kings and all those in authority…” I believe that if positive words (blessings) were spoken over our leaders, we could see the course of our future altered. We would see ungodly policies changed and laws enacted that could turn this nation back where it belongs – to God. We should never, ever forget what we’re told in Ephesians 6:12 where it says “For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.”
Next time, before you speak that curse onto one of our rulers – think, then pray blessings onto them instead. Intercede for them. Proverbs 21:1 indicates that our God changes the hearts of rulers – it says: “The king’s heart is in the hand of the Lord; he directs it like a watercourse wherever He pleases.” How wonderful if we could play a positive role in things turning around with our intercessions.
Let’s fulfill our Christian responsibilities toward our leaders and watch God change things! Amen and amen!
Written by Karran Martin
October 7, 2018
Karran's Korner 
Thank you for reminding me what I’ve know for quite sometime. I can’t say there are too many politicians out there that I would never vote for, but I will make it a point to pray for them. I know when all is said and done God alone has the last word. His is true and faithful, never leading us astray.
LikeLike
I know Anita! It is too easy to fall into the trap of always being critical of those we disagree with, rather than praying for them. Aside from the scriptures that tell us that’s what we should do in regard to our leaders, it also tells us we should pray for our enemies – and I have to confess that those that are so very opposite in their beliefs from mine, it is easy to consider them enemies.
LikeLike